Euan Murray joins Premiership Worcester to safeguard Scotland career

Euan Murray's move to Premiership Worcester will help the prop realise his Scotland and Lions ambitions. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA

The prop Euan Murray, a key member of Scotland's pack, has signed for Worcester in order to safeguard his international career. The 32-year-old has been on loan from Newcastle with the French Top 14 club Agen.

He will move to Sixways next month, joining his third Premiership club after playing for Northampton and Newcastle, who were relegated the Championship last season.

Murray has 47 Scotland caps and toured South Africa with the 2009 Lions, although his trip was ended early by injury.

"I am really excited about getting involved with the Warriors," he said. "I have done a fair bit of research and I realise that the club is definitely going in the right direction. It is an impressive team sheet, so I am looking forward to starting at Sixways."

Murray made his Test debut against Romania in 2005. He was part of Scotland's 2007 and 2011 World Cup campaigns, and he will join a Worcester squad who are coached, among others, by Murray's former Lions colleague Phil Vickery.

Worcester won their first game of the Premiership season last Friday, claiming a bonus point victory over London Irish, while they drew with Gloucester and also ran Northampton, Leicester and Bath close.

Murray's loan spell with Agen concludes at the end of next month and he will depart Newcastle after making 31 appearances since joining them in December 2010.

Dean Richards, Newcastle's rugby director, said: "Euan has served us well and with his aspirations to play in the Premiership, continue to play for Scotland and ultimately tour with the Lions, this is a terrific move for him.

"We also have to be realistic and play within our means as a Championship team. The squad is packed with experience and has now got momentum after a series of wins as we look to drive towards the Premiership."

Paul Varley, the club's executive director, said: "We believe that we have a squad strong enough to reach the Championship play-offs and gain promotion back to the Premiership. With this in mind we were prepared to release Euan as we look to reduce the outgoings on players."